Currently chopping wood in the mountains of Colorado.

Experience

Current

Creative Director, Daphne James Studio

Currently creating visual identity systems with a lasting impact for brands that make the future bright. My process is reliably efficient and effective, and my mind is truly innovative and weird. Serving a variety of clients with open communication, collaboration, and the highest level of creativity. 

Previously

UI/UX Lead Designer, Pearson

Senior Designer at Leo Burnett, Dept of Design

Senior Art Director at VSA Partners

UI Design, Magic + Might

Lead Art Director, Studio 424

Senior Designer at Obama for America

Designer at Democratic National Committee 

Art Director at DigitasLBi

Lead Designer at Columbia College Portfolio Center

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts at Columbia College Chicago

Recognized by Forbes Magazine as Columbia College Notable Alumni

Information Design Studies at Mälardalens Högskola in Västerås, Sweden (awarded scholarship to study)

In the Community

Portfolio Reviewer at VSA in conjunction with MoxieCon and AIGA

2009 Cannes Lions 48 Hour Ad Contest

Life In Public, An (Indoor) Art Show Inspired by New York City’s Streets, December 2013 Wythe Hotel, Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Guest Lecturer and Career Advisor at Columbia College Chicago

Guest speaker at Rapha & AIGA 5x5 Intervals on Design: A design talk for cyclists by designers obsessed with cycling

Chicago Women's Elite Cycling non-profit co-founder and program director chicagowomenselite.com

Chicago Design Museum Exhibit Committee Member

Chicago Women's Health Center Volunteer and Organizer

ArtCrank Poster Show

Designing for Politics: AIGA Lecture, Cleveland, OH

Professional Cyclist for DNA Pro Cycling

International Traveler

Went to French language camp as a kid

Passion for cooking great meals and sharing them with friends

International Traveler

Hugged Obama

Has a library card

Specialties

Art Direction
Branding
Naming
Concepting
Creative Direction
Digital
Guidelines
Iconography
Ideation
Identity
Illustration
Print
Product UI
Signage
System Design
Wayfinding
Infographics
Social media
Marketing/Advertising

Notable Clients

Pearson
United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
Democratic National Committee (DNC)
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC)
Obama for America
Ford Motors
Clean Energy Trust
Upworthy
National Public Radio (NPR)
Dorchester Projects
Chicago Parks Foundation
Kraft Foods
MillerCoors
Whirlpool
Disney
KitchenAid
Walgreens 

The worst feedback I ever received in a performance review was: 

“She tends to get frustrated with slower partners.” 

What can I say? It’s the truth. I’ve got energy, ideas, passion, and the fire under my butt to make sh*t happen. 

How it started 

I’ve been designing and creating since the seasoned age of 8 when I entered a coloring competition sponsored by Six Flags amusement parks. After countless hours of carefully filling in those unrelenting lines, I mounted my submission on multiple sheets of colored paper, because as we all know, presentation is everything. I scored round-trip tickets for my family to Six Flags, and became convinced this biz was for me. 

How it’s going 

Fourteen (14!) years ago I began working as an Art Director at DigitasLBi. I quickly moved up in the agency and spearheaded campaigns for MillerCoors, Sara Lee, Kellogg’s, KitchenAid, Whirpool, Disney, and Walgreens. After my years at DigitasLBi, I leapt at an opportunity to design the Obama for America 2012 re-elect campaign. As one of only three original designers on the Presidential campaign, I conceptualized and executed the Obama 2012 brand and began staffing the creative team. Following the successful re-election of President Obama, a hug from the man himself, and a very long nap, I began work as a Senior Art Director at VSA Partners where I led digital design strategies for high-profile clients. After many years of experience, I left the desk job to pursue a career as a professional athlete but never left my work behind. I’ve been focused on creating visual identity systems with a lasting impact for brands that make the future bright. I bring open communication, collaboration, and the highest level of creativity to every team I join. My creative process is reliably efficient and effective, and my mind is truly innovative and weird.